During the late spring of 1998, I set about the task of deciding who I was going to vote for in the primary for Lt. Governor.

With an open race that year, numerous candidates were set to be on the ballot in both the Democrat and Republican contests. After reading numerous newspapers articles on each of the candidates who had signed their name on the dotted line to run, one clearly stood above the rest in my opinion and that was Mac Barber.

While I had heard of the name Mac Barber prior to 1998, (you can’t consider yourself a Georgia political junkie and not have heard of him), I really didn’t know that much about him. After my own research was done, my better half Pam began telling me what she knew about him since Barber was from Commerce, near her home.

All things pointed to one conclusion: Mac Barber was a politician for the people. His No. 1 priority was to represent those he served. He didn’t care about procedure or giving in to those who thought he should do things a certain way. Barber’s primary reason for being in office was people. In fact, I often referred to him as the “people’s champion.”

The people lost that champion Sunday when Barber died at the age of 91. He leaves behind a political legacy which will be remembered both for its quirkiness as well as its honesty, which is more than can be said for some of his political opponents through the decades.

Going back to 1998, I enjoyed being a volunteer for the “Friends of Mac Barber” campaign. Political observers really didn’t know what to make of his attempt to run for Lt. Governor. Barber stepped down from the Public Service Commission (a decision that left many scratching their head) to run for the second highest elected office in the state. Many believed, or perhaps feared, he might actually win the Democratic primary.

None of his opponents in the summer of 1998 had the name recognition he did and Barber had been on the statewide ballot for so many election cycles, there was legitimate talk he just might win this election as well. Barber’s campaign method of running newspaper ads and using yards signs didn’t translate into victory that time, however, as Mark Taylor won win the Democratic primary and eventually the Lt. Governorship.

Barber would try to regain a seat on the Public Service Commission after 1998 on three occasions, although he would not be successful in those efforts either. Barber did win the 2004 Democratic Primary (I admit to encouraging him heavily to run), but he fell in the General Election to Bobby Baker as by this time the Republican tidal wave had completely swept over the state. That would be his last run for elected office.

In the many times I spoke with him since 1998, I always found Barber to be humbled by the opportunity he was allowed to represent the people of Georgia. He always put them first. He wasn’t in office for financial gain like some who become career politicians, or some who do little more in office than promote an idea and bask in the national attention it garners.

No, Mac Barber was a man who never forgot he was in office for the citizens of Georgia. A politician who doesn’t forget those who elected him once he takes office. How refreshing is that? We could use a few more Mac Barbers today, that’s for sure.

Chris Bridges is editor of the Barrow Journal. He can be reached at chris@mainstreetnews.com.

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